The Commission establishes sentencing policies and practices for the federal courts. Each year, the Commission reviews and refines these policies in light of congressional action, decisions from courts of appeals, sentencing-related research, and input from the criminal justice community.

In this section, you can follow the Commission’s work through the amendment cycle as priorities are set, research is performed, testimony is heard, and amendments are adopted.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission is an independent agency in the judicial branch that was created as part of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984. Commissioners are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Attorney General, or the Attorney General’s designee, and the Chair of the U.S. Parole Commission serve as ex officio, nonvoting members of the Commission.

In this section, learn about the Commission’s mission, structure, and ongoing work.

"Reader-Friendly" Version of the Proposed 2009 Guideline Amendments

Summary

This compilation contains unofficial text of proposed amendments to the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary, and is provided only for the convenience of the user in the preparation of public comment. Official text of the proposed amendments appeared in the January 27, 2009, edition of the Federal Register.